Tonight’s game caps great series

If tonight’s Game 7 of the NBA Finals is anything like the overtime thriller Tuesday night, then this will be considered one of the most exciting champion­ships in recent memory.

Despite the league’s lack of parity (is anyone really surprised that it’s San Antonio v. Miami?), the Spurs and the Heat have given us drama, spectacu­lar plays and all the scowls LeBron James can muster. James continues to makes headband headlines and is the darling of ABC broadcasters Mike Breen and Jeff Van Gundy. They can’t seem to get enough of James, which is understand­able because we all realize he’s the king.

But his antics grow tiresome. There is no arguing his talent, but in Game 6 James made several costly turnovers and selfish errant shots that almost cost Miami the game and the championship. With the clock ticking down James launched a 3 that was nowhere near the rim.

Luckily for the Heat, his team­mates swatted the rebound right back to him and he launched another 3. That time it sank and pulled Miami within 3 points. And the announcers just fawned over the make, completely ignoring his awful miss seconds ago that would have sealed it for the Spurs.

In fact Breen and Van Gundy throughout the series continue to give James credit when others on his team are just as deserv­ing, such as Chris Bosh, who makes key blocks, and Ray Allen whose triple from the corner put the game in overtime.

In the waning minutes Tues­day James continuously forced the issue by going to the hole even though he was surrounded by Spurs and while ignoring his teammates on the perimeter. And every time the ball was cleanly batted away he gazed at the refs in disbelief.

It seems in James’ world there is no such thing as a solid defense or having a clean shot block. Every time he goes to the rim, he’s fouled, according to his reactions. It is most annoying. And the refs constantly allow his theatrics. Years ago Com­missioner David Stern issued an edict that players who openly complain to referees will get a technical foul. Apparently that doesn’t apply to the King.

James gets the most attention because he commands it. But if anyone deserves the spotlight it’s Tony Parker and Tim Duncan. Parker has been magnificent. In Game 1 he made a basket for the ages when he dribbled through the Heat defense, fell to a knee, then sank a wild shot just as the 24-second clock expired. It sealed the win. He just about topped that one with a huge triple late in the fourth Tuesday.

And then there’s Duncan, the quiet leader. At 37 he’s fighting for his fifth championship ring. He is a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer and the anti-LeBron when it comes to the spotlight. Dun­can doesn’t need a pre-game gimmick like tossing talc up in the air. He doesn’t scowl. He’s played his entire career with San Antonio so there was no need for good-bye tours or drama surrounding team visits during free agency. And even if he had left the Spurs, he would never stage an embarrassing prime time ESPN special to make his announcement.

There’s no doubting James’ talent. He’s an MVP and his triple-double certainly was a huge part of Tuesday’s incredible win. But LeBron has wilted before in big games. And if he stumbles, so do the Heat. Even if his amazing talent matched his ego, it will be hard to stop Duncan and the Spurs tonight.

Because if Duncan earns his fifth championship ring and perhaps retires as a true champion like many are speculating, then finally the spotlight will shine away from the king at least temporarily.

Readers can contact Ray at 242-1100, ext. 319, or by e-mail at rayk@monroenews.com.

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